Creative Kids Competition

In May 2014 the State Government announced a $760,000 funding commitment for the Mount Beauty Progressing Place Project.

This $875,000 project will see the town's recreation and retail areas revitalised. Council will contribute $100,000 and Alpine Health is providing $15,000.

Planned works to the retail precinct include improved pedestrian access and sense of arrival from the Kiewa Valley Highway, upgraded streetscape at Hollonds Street and a number of measures to improve driver and pedestrian safety and accessibility.

The foreshore project aims to increase community usage and improve appearance and accessibility of the Mount Beauty pondage foreshore and recreation facilities.

Request for comment – Mount Beauty Pondage Path Alignment

As part of the Mount Beauty Progressing Place project, we had proposed to divert the pondage shared path around the upgraded playground and picnic area, but connecting back to the existing path between the skate park and new netball court (refer pale pink dashed line on image below). As works have progressed, it has become apparent that it would make a lot more sense to connect the new path with the existing path adjacent to the cricket nets (refer dark pink dashed line on the image below), rather than have it divert around the east side of the netball court.

We therefore seek your feedback regarding the proposal to realign the pondage shared path as shown, from the cricket nets, along the west side of the netball courts (avoiding the large existing tree) and then along the west side of the upgraded playground and picnic area (dark pink dashed line).

We do not propose to remove any of the remaining existing paths at this stage. Although, the location and type of paths in this area would probably need to be addressed in the future.

As works are currently under construction, we would appreciate your feedback on this proposal by Tuesday 29 March. Please email any comments directly to francines@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.

Project Update - March 2016

Project update - March 2016

WORKS UPDATEFORESHORE- The construction of the new public toilets has commenced and are expected to be completed this month, but will not be opened until the landscape works surrounding them are complete.- The construction of the foreshore playground picnic shelters, car park and landscape works has commenced and are anticipated to be completed in early April. The retained playground area has received improved drainage and additional softfall and access to this area will be reinstated by Saturday 12 March.- The fabrication of the new play equipment for the playground is well underway at the artist’s studio, with installation expected by early April.- Sand play equipment, including a digger and sand play table, has been ordered and is expected to be installed in the new play area in late March.

OUTSTANDING WORKSFORESHORE- Liaise with the Men’s Shed regarding fabrication and installation of a seating platform at the Foreshore playground.- Investigate interest in a new home for the old slide.- Determine the appropriate relocation of fitness equipment.

WORKS UPDATETOWN CENTRE- Kerb works have now been completed in Park Street and will be completed in Kiewa Crescent and Lakeside Avenue by Friday 11 March. Kerb and invert works will then continue in Hollonds Street and are anticipated to be completed by 18 March. - Asphalting works will occur between 16 – 23 March.- Demolition of the kerb outstand barriers and tree guards in Hollonds Street will occur progressively, as the contractors move along Hollonds Street.- Concrete wheel stops will be installed at each tree in Hollonds Street and at every carpark on the south side of Kiewa Crescent.- Installation of the porous paving around the trees will follow the asphalt installation.- The construction of the town centre landscape works has commenced. Works are largely complete in the Park Street reserve. The landscape contractors are following behind the civil contractors and are anticipated to be completed by the end of March.- The fabrication of the custom street furniture is underway at the artist’s studio. Installation of the seating platforms is expected prior to Easter. The bicycle racks, signage and outstand barriers will follow and are anticipated to be installed by mid-April.- The fabrication of the new play equipment for the Park Street reserve playground is well underway at the artist’s studio, with installation expected before Easter.

OUTSTANDING WORKSTOWN CENTRE- Renovation of the timber seats will be undertaken by our maintenance crew by mid-April.- Investigate improvements to public bins and street lighting in the Town Centre.- Investigate the cost of supply and installation of a drinking fountain in the Town Centre.

Project Update - February 2016

WORKS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY

FORESHORE- The construction of the new public toilets has commenced and are expected to be completed this month.- The contract for the foreshore playground picnic shelters, car park and landscape works was awarded. Works have commenced and will be completed in April.- The fabrication of the new play equipment for the playground has commenced at the artist’s studio, with installation expected in March. Refer below for progress photos.- Sand play equipment, including a digger and sand play table, has been ordered and is also expected to be installed in the new play area in March.

TOWN CENTRE- Roadworks will recommence Monday, 8th February, with kerb works on the corner of Kiewa Crescent and Lakeside Avenue. The civil contractors propose to move along Lakeside Avenue to the Hollonds Street intersection, then undertake the kerb works on the north side of Kiewa Crescent, followed by the kerb works on the south side of Kiewa Crescent. The kerb works are anticipated to be completed in March.- Kerb works have now been completed in Park Street and the top of Hollonds Street.- The contract for the town centre landscape works was awarded. Works have commenced in the Park Street reserve. The landscape contractors will follow behind the civil contractors and are anticipated to be completed in April.- The fabrication and installation of street furniture has been awarded. Fabrication has commenced, with installation expected in March. Refer to below for sketch concepts.- The contract for the design and fabrication of the town centre play equipment has been awarded. The concept is for a Wedge-tailed Eagle sculpture which children can climb, swing from, slide down and even ride. This will be located on the Hollonds Street side of the Park Street Reserve. Refer below for an image of the proposed structure.

NEXT STEPS- Continue the construction of the foreshore and town centre landscape works.- Continue the town centre kerb works.- Undertake the asphalting works in the town centre.- Continue fabrication and installation of the foreshore and town centre play equipment.- Continue fabrication of custom signage and street furniture for the Town Centre.- Continue to liaise with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups would like to contribute to this space.

Project update - November 2015

WORKS COMPLETED TO DATE

FORESHORE

- The construction of the new public toilets has commenced and will be completed in the new year.- Tenders have now closed on the foreshore playground picnic shelters, car park and landscape works and are currently being considered by Council. A recommendation for the award of this contract will be put to a December Council meeting.- The contract for the new play equipment for the playground has been awarded to Agency of Sculpture for the ‘Eddy’ proposal and detailed design has commenced.

TOWN CENTRE

- The kerb works in the town centre will commence in Park Street on Monday 30 November. Refer to the attached image for the town centre program of works. - Tenders have now closed on the town centre landscape works and are currently being considered by Council. A recommendation for the award of this contract will be put to a December Council meeting.- The design and fabrication of site furniture has been tendered. Submissions are currently being considered by Council.

NEXT STEPS

- Award the contract for the foreshore and town centre landscape works.- Commence the town centre kerb works.- Award the contract for design and fabrication of custom signage and street furniture for the Town Centre and advise the community of the proposal.- Continue to liaise with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups would like to contribute to this space.

TIMING

- Construction of the Foreshore toilets has commenced and will be completed in the new year.- Construction of the Town Centre kerb works will commence in Park Street on Monday 30 November. Refer to the attached image for the town centre program of works.- Construction of the foreshore and town centre landscape works is projected to commence in mid-January 2016.- Installation of ‘Eddy’ the new foreshore climbing structure is anticipated to be in March 2016.

Project update - August 2015

WORKS COMPLETED TO DATE

FORESHORE

- Tenders have now closed on the new toilet and shelters and are being considered by Council.- Concept design and costing of the foreshore playground, car park and landscape works have now been completed - click here to view.- Community has commented on the concept plans via the listening post held at the July Mount Beauty Community Market, via stakeholder meetings and via the ‘Have your Say’ link on Council’s website.

TOWN CENTRE

- Poplar tree removal and bluestone paving installation at Memorial Park was undertaken in time for the Anzac Centenary in April.- Arboricultural assessment of street trees in Kiewa Crescent and Hollonds Street has resulted in the decision to retain the Mop Top trees.- Concept design and costing of the town centre road and landscape works have now been completed - click here to view.- Community has commented on the concept plans via the listening post held at the July Mount Beauty Community Market, via stakeholder meetings and via the ‘Have your Say’ link on Council’s website.

Project Update October 2015

WORKS COMPLETED TO DATE

FORESHORE

- The contract for the construction of the new public toilets has been awarded. The cost of the toilets has been reduced to the order of $78,000.- Detailed design of the foreshore playground, picnic shelters, car park and landscape works has now been completed and the works are currently out to tender.- The new play equipment for the playground has been tendered. Mount Beauty children were asked their opinion on the playground submissions and a recommendation for the award of this contract will be put to the November Council meeting.- Liaison with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups wish to contribute to this space.

TOWN CENTRE

- Detailed design of the town centre roadworks has now been completed. Tenders for these works has closed and a recommendation for the award of this contract will be put to the November Council meeting.- Detailed design of the town centre landscape works has now been completed and the works are currently out to tender.- The design and fabrication of site furniture has been tendered. Tenders have been received and the submissions are currently being assessed.- A town centre retailers meeting was organised for Thursday 27 August. Unfortunately no one attended.

NEXT STEPS

- Award the contract for the design, fabrication and installation of custom play equipment for the Foreshore and Town Centre and advise the community of the proposal.- Award the contract for the Town Centre road works and advise the community of the proposed works.- Close tenders on the landscape works contract for the Foreshore and Town Centre.- Award the contract for design and fabrication of custom signage and street furniture for the Town Centre and advise the community of the proposal.- Continue to liaise with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups would like to contribute to this space.

TIMING

- Construction of the Foreshore toilets is anticipated to commence prior to Christmas this year.- Construction of the Town Centre road works is expected to commence in December 2015, with resealing of Hollonds Street, Kiewa Crescent and Park Street to occur in early 2016.- Construction of the Foreshore and Town Centre landscape works, including play equipment, is projected to commence in January 2016.

What you said - Foreshore

WHAT YOU SAID

RESPONSE

Why is so much being spent on the new toilets?

We would rather put the money into the playground. Tenders have closed on the construction of the toilet block and prices have come in favourably. However, we are looking at further ways to reduce the cost of this new facility so that we can divert more funds into the playground upgrade.

Why does the big slide need to be removed?

The 30 year old slide is not compliant with the current standards in numerous ways. The cost to make the slide compliant has been independently estimated to be between $65,000 and $80,000, as a completely new climbing tower would need to be installed to access the slide. Council believes that this money is better invested in a new, compliant structure which is equally challenging, scary and exciting for kids.

Incorporate a large, challenging climbing structure incorporating cubby holes and a slide or slides that is exciting and unique to Mount Beauty, and which makes the most of its lakeside setting.

We will invite tenders for a custom designed and installed climbing structure incorporating cubby holes and slide/s.

Incorporate a sensory play area including sand, sound and imaginary play as well as food plants.

We have included a sensory play area in the concept for the foreshore playground. We will work with the newly established Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups would like to contribute to this space.

Relocate the metal fitness equipment to another location, but within the vicinity of or incorporated into the playground.

We have indicated a potential location for this equipment adjacent to the playground on the concept. However, there was very little indication that the community would like this equipment to stay with the playground. It has been suggested that this equipment could be relocated to Rotary Park.

Otherwise, in order of priority we would like the following: 1. A piece of spinning equipment that many users can ride at once. 2. A basket or nest swing that many users can ride at once, and possibly a hammock. 3. A flying fox (the longest one in the world!). 4. Jumping play equipment such as a trampoline.

As part of the invitation to tender for the climbing structure, we will also request quotations for the equipment listed. The extent to which we can include any of this equipment will depend on the budget remaining following discussions with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group and the outcomes of the toilet block tender.

What you said - Town Centre

WHAT YOU SAID

RESPONSE

Visitors drive straight past the Town Centre without even knowing it’s there.

We will include new and better signage at the Kiewa Valley Highway roundabout, directing visitors towards the Town Centre and also at the corner of Lakeside Avenue and Kiewa Crescent and Hollonds Street.

The Park Street end of the Town Centre needs to be activated.

We will investigate the cost of additional parking in Park Street (that will also accommodate long vehicles) and two additional parking bays in Hollonds Street, however whether these are implemented as part of this project, will depend on the total estimated cost for these additional works. We will incorporate a playground in the Community Centre Reserve and a linking path in this reserve, between Kiewa Crescent and Hollonds Street. The design and supply of the play equipment will be included in the tender package for the Foreshore climbing structure.

We need more bike racks and a water bottle fill station so people don’t have to use the taps in the toilets.

We will include two additional bike racks, one at the forecourt to the Community Centre area Hollonds Street and one at the corner of Kiewa Crescent and Lakeside Avenue. We will investigate including a drinking fountain/refill station outside the public toilets on Hollonds Street.

Nothing grows under the Ash trees in front of the Community Centre on Hollonds Street and the garden beds look unsightly.

We will include custom designed seating platforms over these garden bed areas for extra seating and to enhance the space.

Streetscape improvements should reflect Mount Beauty’s character.

We will seek concepts and quotations from local designers and fabricators for the key pieces of street furniture such as the seating platforms, tree and kerb outstand barriers, town centre signs and bicycle racks.

NEXT STEPS

- Resolve design and cost of new Foreshore toilets.- Tender the design, fabrication and installation of custom play equipment for the Foreshore and Town Centre.- Continue to liaise with the Bicentennial Park Playground Working Group to determine what the local groups would like to contribute to this space.- Invite submissions for design and fabrication of custom signage and street furniture for the Town Centre.- Progress design and costing of the Town Centre road works and modifications.- Progress design and costing of the Foreshore and Town Centre landscape works.

TIMING

- Construction of the Foreshore toilets is anticipated to commence prior to Christmas this year.- Construction of the Town Centre road works is expected to commence in November 2015, with resealing of Hollonds Street, Kiewa Crescent and Park Street to occur in early 2016.- Construction of the Foreshore and Town Centre landscape works, including play equipment, is projected to commence in January 2016.

For regular updates on this project refer to our Facebook postings or continue to keep in touch with this webpage. For detailed or specific questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Project Manager – Francine Stacey on 5755 0567 or via email on francines@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.